noun
Uncommon
impetus
IHM-puh-tuhs
Impetus (noun) means something that drives or encourages an action to happen; a driving force. Example: “The scandal gave fresh impetus to calls for reform.”
noun
1
Something that drives or encourages an action to happen; a driving force.
"The scandal gave fresh impetus to calls for reform."
"Winning the award gave her the impetus to start a new project."
How to use impetus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe push or motivation that gets something moving or started.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
give impetus to
lose impetus
fresh impetus
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Word forms
- Plural
- impetuses
Fill the gap
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The scandal gave fresh _____ to calls for reform.
Etymology
From Latin impetus ("a rushing upon, an attack"), from impeto ("to rush upon").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for impetus
See all rhymes for impetus →Frequently asked questions
What does “impetus” mean?
The word “impetus” means something that drives or encourages an action to happen; a driving force. In plain terms, the push or motivation that gets something moving or started.
How do you pronounce “impetus”?
“Impetus” is pronounced IHM-puh-tuhs (/ˈɪm.pə.təs/ in IPA).
How do you use “impetus” in a sentence?
Here is “impetus” used in a sentence: “The scandal gave fresh impetus to calls for reform.”
What part of speech is “impetus”?
“Impetus” is a noun.
Where does the word “impetus” come from?
The word “impetus” comes from Latin. From Latin impetus ("a rushing upon, an attack"), from impeto ("to rush upon").
Is “impetus” a common word?
“Impetus” is an uncommon word in modern English.
